Time-resolved study of surface disordering of Pb(110)

Abstract
Laser-induced surface disordering of Pb(110) is studied using reflection high-energy electron diffraction with 180-ps time resolution. By monitoring the time-dependent modulation of the diffraction streak intensity, information is obtained on the time scales for the disordering of the first few atomic layers and the regrowth of crystalline order at the surface. These are determined to be reversible within the time resolution of our experiment.